Player News - Cowboys

Archer expects Randle to fare "fine" as the Cowboys' replacement for DeMarco Murray, and concedes the weekly touch distribution "is subject to change based on the hot-hand theory." If Randle handled 15 carries per game and stayed healthy, he would finish at 240 for the season. McFadden is a better pass blocker than Randle, while Dunbar is arguably Dallas' best receiving back.

Cowboys DE Jeremy Mincey ended his holdout and reported to training camp on Sunday morning.

The Dallas Morning News said the holdout isn't officially over yet, though Mincey's appearance at camp would suggest otherwise. Mincey tried to send the Cowboys a message by skipping the first few days of camp but predictably gave in when faced with $30,000 a day fines. Mincey will earn $1.5 million this season before hitting free agency in 2016.

ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer said RB Lance Dunbar "will finally become a viable part of the offense."

An explosive back with Shane Vereenian skills, Dunbar has the passing-game chops to form a dynamic partnership with presumed starter Joseph Randle. With Darren McFadden already sidelined by injuries, Dunbar could end up with the second most snaps in the Cowboys' backfield. He is an interesting flier in deeper PPR leagues.

ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer does not expect first-round CB Byron Jones to earn a starting job out of camp.

Orlando Scandrick is locked in as a starter, and the Cowboys have too much money invested in Brandon Carr to bench him before the season begins. Dallas opened camp with Carr and Morris Claiborne on the perimeter in nickel packages, and Scandrick kicking inside to slot corner.

Cowboys OC Scott Linehan confirmed rookie G/T La'El Collins will get "plenty of opportunity" to work with the first-team offense.

"He’ll get plenty of opportunity to work with the group, see where he’s at," Linehan said, "but we have five starters in our offensive line that are going to have something to say about that." Collins is expected to compete with Ronald Leary for the starting left guard position in camp. With Leary coming off a solid season, it is not a competition Collins is guaranteed to win.

Cowboys OC Scott Linehan said the team's run-heavy strategy is "not going to change" despite the departure of DeMarco Murray.

Dallas successfully used a high-volume rushing attack to hide its deficiencies on defense and Tony Romo's ailing back last season. Romo is as healthy as he's been in several years, but the defense is still suspect and the Cowboys have one of the best lines in the league. The issue for Linehan is at running back, where he is saddled with unproven talent Joseph Randle and washed-up veteran Darren McFadden. If Randle can prove his flashes last season are sustainable, he could allow the Cowboys to continue their ground-and-pound success and turn into a fantasy monster in the process. If he cannot handle the workload, however, Dallas may have to find a new offensive identity on the fly.

Per RapSheet, the Cowboys expect "big things" from Randle, and love his "vision and explosiveness." After struggling mightily as a fifth-round rookie in 2013, Randle indeed showed improved burst as a sophomore, averaging nearly seven yards on 51 carries. Randle remains a high-risk fantasy investment based on his extremely-limited track record. His ADP is creeping toward round three.

Darren McFadden's hamstring injury is not to the leg that sidelined him in OTAs.

Unbelievable. (But not really.) Coach Jason Garrett is "hopeful" DMC will be back in a "week or so," but the Cowboys are learning all they need to know about McFadden's lack of durability. McFadden was already far from a roster lock, but his inability to stay on the field in even shorts and a t-shirt is likely doing major damage to his 53-man odds.

Including Dallas' playoff run, Free's foot cost him seven games last season. The nature of his operation is unclear. Before last year, Free had appeared in every Cowboys game since 2009. He's come on as one of the NFL's better right tackles.

Leary has made 31 starts over the past two seasons, but is battling rookie La'El Collins at left guard. Collins is a first-round talent, but ESPN Dallas tentatively expects Leary to hold onto his job. Leary is an asset in the run game, but more of a liability when Tony Romo drops back to pass.

Cowboys placed RB Darren McFadden on the active/PUP list with a hamstring injury.

Act surprised. With his career running on fumes, McFadden has been battling a hamstring issue since OTAs. We'd like to say he's day to day for the start of camp, but you never know with someone who has suffered as many injuries as DMC. McFadden's roster spot is far from assured. It's possible he's eventually replaced by free agent Chris Johnson.

Specifically, Jones "expressed confidence" that Randle can handle the load as Dallas' lead runner. The Cowboys are expected to mix in washed-up Darren McFadden and scatback Lance Dunbar, but Randle is in position to open the season as the starter. A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Randle is a questionable talent, albeit one poised to run behind the NFL's premier offensive line. Randle's fantasy stock is sure to skyrocket to the point where he's an aggressive-bordering-on-reaching fantasy pick by the end of August.

Cowboys DE Jeremy Mincey skipped the team's flight to training camp as he aims for a new contract.

Mincey is scheduled to make $1.5 million in the final year of his two-year contract. He led the Cowboys in sacks and pressures last season and fell 11 snaps shy of earning a $500,000 bonus. The 31-year-old appears to want some guaranteed money and a boost to his salary. With the Cowboys adding RE Greg Hardy and second-rounder Randy Gregory and expecting a leap from LE Demarcus Lawrence, Mincey may see his snaps reduced a bit this season.